UK Book Club discussion

It's already the 3rd February and I've only just remembered to post this month's genre. According to the random generator, we'll be reading spy novels/ books on espionage in February. Could be fiction, could be factual, it's up to you.

I've just realised I can hit two challenges if I go for Six Days of the Condor. Not only is it about a CIA operative (was it Robert Redford in the film? - I've never seen it), but it's set in Washington DC which I still need to visit for my US challenge - result! The only fly in the ointment is that I'm still only halfway through my classic for January...

I recently finished reading an excellent WW2 spy/ adventure novel called Spy Trap which is based on a true story , very enjoyable !
Spy Trap
Am hoping to start The Honest Spy soon

I’m lucky so far with these challenges—this is the second time I am already reading a book that fits the category. Right now I'm in the middle of The Venetian Affair by Helen MacInnes, a very good Cold War thriller published in 1965 but set a little earlier.

I'm still working on my classic as well. I hope to get one for this challenge though.. Too bad that I read Our Kind of Traitor last month... lol

It's always the way, Bill!

This caught my eye in my local Waterstones M: Maxwell Knight, MI5's Greatest Spymaster

I'm thinking of reading The Dolly Dolly Spy by Adam Diment.

I'm rapidly running out of time this month so I'm planning to go for what looks to be the shortest book that fits the genre and is on my Kindle...

The 39 Steps by John Buchan!

Em wrote: "I'm rapidly running out of time this month so I'm planning to go for what looks to be the shortest book that fits the genre and is on my Kindle...

[book:The 39 Step..."

Great story and series, Em... Hope you enjoy.

Finished The Venetian Affair over the weekend.

Abigail wrote: "Finished The Venetian Affair over the weekend."

This is a story I'd like to try sometime. I like her style.

Jane wrote: ""

I've read this a couple of times.

Helen MacInnes holds up surprisingly well. The basic conception of the Soviet plot in this one is actually timely today—engage in a terroristic act and find a way to blame it on a few of the NATO partners, sowing discord among the allied nations. Sound familiar?

I'm sure I read a couple of Helen McInnes many years ago and enjoyed them very much. I just can't remember which ones.

It was when I was making my way through my mum's bookshelves, having run out of my own. I also read loads of Patricia Highsmith and Ngaio Marsh (sp?) courtesy of my mum.

From my previous (1970s) readings of Helen MacInnes, I recall While Still We Live as a particularly good one. Also, Above Suspicion, her first novel, is interesting to read as a historical document because it is set just before WWII, and she was unusually clear-eyed about what was going on with the Nazis.

The first book by MacInnes that I read was The Snare of the Hunter, a nicely tense Cold War thriller.

Just finished Silesian Station second in the series, very good, I read a spy novel every month at least 😀

G.J. wrote: "Just finished Silesian Station second in the series, very good, I read a spy novel every month at least 😀"

I've enjoyed the first two so far as well. It's an interesting series.

The library's shut this weekend due to Chinese New Year, so I can't pick up my spy novel (grumble, grumble).

Luckily (?) I still have several hundred pages of 'The Count of Monte Cristo, so maybe I will make some more progress there....

I'm reading Tomorrow Never Dies which is based on the screenplay. Its ok but nothing special and because it's based on the film there isn't much of a stretch - it just describes the scenes. It'll tick the box but its no Ian Fleming.

I've got to get to the library this weekend as there's only a few days left before the end of the month to squeeze in my spy novel! And I'm still reading my classic...

I very much enjoyed The 39 Steps and a lovely, short read which means I actually finished it in February! Yay! So, poetry next.......

Yay you.. The other Hannay books are pretty good too.

I have just finished reading

...not too bad.

Making good headway on Six Days of the Condor - very good so far....

Finished M: Maxwell Knight, MI5's Greatest Spymaster It was a slow read for me as I don't often read non fiction and I was v busy with work. I found it really interesting how MI5 came into being and how amateurish it was to begin with...

Liz wrote: "Making good headway on 'Six Days of the Condor' - very good so far...."

I've been looking for a copy of that. I remember enjoying the movie very much. Glad to hear you're enjoying. That's encouraging.

It's well-written Bill, and a good page-turner, although it has one of those endings where the villain conveniently explains his motivation to the hero...

So I've finished Tomorrow Never Dies which wasn't great. I'd rather read an Ian Fleming.